Multicultural Choir

[Anchor Lead]

There are now some 100-thousand students from multicultural families in Korea. A choir festival has been launched to help these youths better adjust to Korean society and mingle with one another through singing.

[Pkg]

In math class,

[Soundbite] "Add the 3 and 2 in the numerator."

4th grader Yoo-jeong enunciates clearly as she delivers a presentation.

[Soundbite] "Today's lunch included pancakes, my favorite."

Yoo-jeong comes from a multicultural family and naturally speaks Chinese with her Chinese mom. Her younger days, when she had difficulty communicating with her peers, remain a painful memory for her mother.

[Soundbite] Leng Yujie (Chinese Migrant Living in Korea) : "I had no friends. I didn't know where to bring my children or whom to meet. We stayed at home every day. It breaks my heart."

In school, Yoo-jeong has begun singing in a choir. Harmonizing with friends has strengthened friendships as well as her own confidence.

[Soundbite] Jin Yoo-jeong (Multicultural Student) : "Choir practice makes it easier to grow closer to friends because we sing together in harmony. We also talk about the songs."

A project has launched to bring together Korean and multicultural students through song. Around 1,200 students are expected to take part in the choir project. The final 33 teams will perform in a festival late this year.

[Soundbite] Yoo Jung-geun (Festival Steering Committee) : "The event aims to assist multicultural youths develop discernment and a world view to become global citizens."

The melodious journey of these students will also be covered in a KBS documentary slated to air later this year.